Officials said Tuesday that high levels of benzene, a potentially harmful chemical released from the oil, could pose a health hazard to humans who come in contact with the water or breath in the fumes.

Wildlife experts also are warning the public not to handle wildlife coated with the oil, saying improper treatment could be harmful to the animals and humans.

They’re asking the public to report sightings of oil-affected animals by calling 1-800-306-6837 and providing their location.

Boating access sites along the Kalamazoo River, from Talmadge Creek, near Marshall, to Augusta also have been closed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Mary Dettloff, a MDNRE spokeswoman, said Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered partial activation of the Michigan State Police’s State Emergency Operations Center in Lansing that pulls together high-level officials from a variety of agencies to coordinate response.

In addition to the DNRE, state and local community health agencies, and county emergency preparedness offices, the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also have personnel on site or en route.

Contractors are providing respirators for containment and clean-up workers that will allow them to safely operate in the area.

“The respirators should get there today,” Dettloff said. “That’s not equipment we readily carry. The high levels of benzene in the air and water is a human health risk until it dissipates. We’re not sure yet how long that will be. We are asking people to stay out of the water and away from the river.”

Dettloff said the smell of benzene can be detected and it will burn the nose and lungs.